CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs around 90. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Northwest

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Northwest winds 5 to

10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 60s.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 60s.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the mid 60s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy

with a 30 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms after

midnight. Lows in the upper 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. A 30 percent chance of rain showers and

thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s.

 

A cold front is forecast to slide through Sunday. Fire weather issues

and thunderstorms are possible with this passing front, but

details are still far from certain as there is still considerable

spread in the model solutions.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  the public is invited to National Night Out to be held August 7th, from 6-p.m., to 9-p.m. at McElroy Park in Jamestown.

There is no charge to attend.

National Night Out is the annual community building campaign promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

Participants will include the Jamestown Police Department, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office,

With other invitees  including  the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Jamestown Area Ambulance Service, and the Jamestown City and Rural Fire Department.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Tourism Office Manager, Emily Bivens has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce.

She will succeed Becky Thatcher-Keller, who leaves the post on August 24th this year.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Tourism Executive Director, Searle Swedlund said, a search is on-going to find a new Office Manager.

He added that this month’s Grant/Executive Board meeting will be on Thursday August 16th at 11:30-a.m., at The CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

A grant request is expected from Jamestown the Jamestown Tennis Association for tournament funding.

Other grant requests may be added to the meeting agenda.

Searle also reminds residents that virtual tours are available for selected Jamestown business at the tourism website, wwwdiscoverjamestown.com.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)  The official Chamber news release states,  Becky Thatcher-Keller, the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director for the past four years, will be retiring from this position effective the end of August.  The chamber board of directors has chosen Emily Bivens of Jamestown to succeed her as the new chamber executive director.

Emily is currently the office manager for Jamestown Tourism, and an alumnus of NDSU.  She brings a wealth of experience and skills to the chamber position, including event planning, expertise in building social networks within the community, and supporting collaborative partnerships with the local community organizations and entities.  She has been a member of the Jamestown Downtown Association, the chamber Young Professionals and several other community groups.  She has been instrumental in helping Tourism and the JDA expand their social media presence and marketing efforts in the community, the region and the state. Her experience with Tourism will great a great opportunity for collaboration and community growth as she assumes this new position.

Emily, along with her husband Jason, and their two children, moved to Jamestown in 2015 to be closer to their families.  They moved the family home that she grew up in, previously located in Hannaford, ND, to property in Jamestown; and they have continued working to make this house their home.

“I would like to thank the chamber board for this opportunity.  I am excited to create even stronger connections among businesses in the Jamestown area, and foster the future growth of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce”, she stated about taking over her new role.  She will begin working for the chamber officially on September 4th.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

 Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $ 2,351,602.21

Bingo and/or Raffle Permits for Barnes County Ducks Unlimited, Barnes County Senior Citizens Council, Inc., Valley City USBC Association

Block off the Street Request for VCSU on September 6, 2018 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Central Avenue from 2nd Street N to 5th Street N

Block off the Street Request for VCSU on August 17, 2018 from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm on 2nd Avenue SW

Block off the Street Request for VCSU on August 29, 2018 from 9:00 pm to Midnight on 2nd Avenue SW

Parade Application for VCSU Homecoming on October 13, 2018 on Central Avenue.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  A citizen comment was given on the North Central project.

ORDINANCE:

Approved  the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1035, an Ordinance Amending & Re-enacting Title 18, Parks.  City Attorney Schoenack the Ordinance was part of the recodification process.

Approved  the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1036, an Ordinance Creating a Perpetual Restrictive Covenant For Structures to be Removed in Accordance with State Water Commission. City Attorney Schoenack  said the Ordinance is required by the State Water Commission, in conjunction with the Permanent Flood Control project.

Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1037, an Ordinance Amending & Re-enacting Title 3, Health & Sanitation.  City Attorney Schoenack said the Ordinance is part of the recodification process, and the language was updated.

Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1034, an Ordinance Amending & Re-enacting Title 6, Police Department.  City Attorney Schoenack said the language is being updated within the recodification process.

Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1038, an Ordinance Amending & Re-enacting Title 19, Disasters & Emergencies.  City Attorney Schoenack said under recodification the Ordinance allows the city to declare a disaster emergency, and explains the incident command protocol.

RESOLUTION

City Commissioners  approved a Resolution to approve the replat of Block 2 Beyer Industrial Acres.

NEW BUSINESS

Considered was a Conditional Use Permit duly submitted by Tom Morehouse of Star Enterprise/Strata on Lot 8 and 9 of South Valley Addition, to remove gravel.  The City Attorney said the permit contains conditions for the removal, and another public hearing if another conditional use permit is required, later.

The City Commission voted to approve.

Considered was the NDDOT Urban Grant program award in amount of $1,643,000, for Streetscape & Lighting Project Phase II in 2020, (Main Street, Central Avenue S, City Park)   City Administrator Schelkoph  said Phase II does not include sidewalks or bump outs. It does include updated street lighting, traffic lights, and a mill and overlay which would be specially assessed. He said $250,000 of the city’s share of cost of $500,000 would come from the electrical fund, and $20,000 in a verbal commitment from Parks and Recreation in the form of a Special Assessment. $150,000 would come from another fund.

The Commissioners voted to accept.

Approved was a 2 Year Contract with Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation.

Considered a Request for Funds in the amount of $25,000 for Workforce Development by Valley City- Barnes County Development Corporation. Development Director,  Jennifer Feist said development is working with the Career Center, with the welding program,  and others to build a local workforce.

The City Commission voted to approve.

Considered  Increasing Contract Maximum for Construction Engineering for Paving Improvement District No. 113 by $16,950.00   KLJ  said addition costs were in the engineering phase.

Commissioners voted to approve, on a 3-2 vote with commissioners Bishop and Powell voted in opposition.

Considered  Increasing Contract Maximum for Construction Engineering for 2017 Parking Lot Improvement District by $15,500  KLJ said factors contributed in the time frame for the worked to be completed on time.

City Commissioners voted unanimously to disapprove.

Considered a “Notice to Award” to Swanberg Construction for the Ultra Filtration Project at the Water Treatment Plant.  City Administrator Schelkoph  recommends the award the bid to Swanberg in the amount of $149,000, which was approved by Commissioners.

Commissioners  then approved a notice to proceed with the  Filtration Project.

Commissioners approved the purchase of trench box in the amount of $12,435.00 from RDO Equipment Co. for Street & Water/Wastewater Departments.

Considered the interest rate for 2017 & 2018 Special Assessment Projects that will be financed with 2018 bond issuance  City Auditor Richter recommended a three and a half to four percent rate, which was approved by the Commission.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

The Bridge City Cruisers, Cruise night will be moved to the street adjacent to Sheyenne Care Center.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS were given.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  In Jamestown Tuesday, Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, met with Stutsman County officials and area residents to outline progress on his legislation to enable Jamestown Reservoir cabin owners to purchase their lots.

Hoeven successfully included the Jamestown provision in a package of bills to be added to the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The senator said he’s hopeful that the package will be added to the Senate’s WRDA bill in the coming weeks and be passed by the Senate by Labor Day.

Hoven said, “Many homeowners on the Jamestown Reservoir have made improvements and investments in their homes and lots.  Our legislation is about providing security to these homeowners by enabling them to purchase their lots. The Jamestown legislation, which was approved by the Energy Committee in May, has now been included in a package of bills that we’re working to add to the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act. The Senate is considering WRDA in the coming weeks and I believe we can get the Jamestown provision passed in the Senate by Labor Day.”

Specifically, Hoeven’s legislation transfers federal lands around the Jamestown Reservoir – including the 71 permitted exclusive use cabin lots, two campgrounds, a park and unpurchased lots – to the Stutsman County Park Board and the North Dakota Game and Fish at no cost. Homeowners would then be able purchase their lots from the Stutsman County Park Board.

Proceeds exceeding the costs of preparing residential lots for sale would be used for administrative costs and deferred maintenance of the dam. The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) would continue to maintain responsibility over the reservoir and dam.

Hoeven introduced the Jamestown Reservoir legislation last November, which grew out of meetings he and his staff held with homeowners and local officials. The legislation follows the senator’s successful efforts to limit fee increases for permittees on the Jamestown Reservoir and other North Dakota reservoirs after BOR had proposed increasing permit fees to more than twice the current cost.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — John Walstad, the North Dakota Legislature’s former top lawyer who spent more than three decades drafting bills for lawmakers, has died.Waltstad’s wife, Jenne, says he died from lung cancer Sunday night in Bismarck. He was 66.Walstad retired two years ago. He worked for the non-partisan legislative research agency for 35 years and served as its legal division director for nearly five of those years.Walstad was known as a dapper dresser and for his dry humor, which often lightened intense legislative hearings.Walstad attended North Dakota State University for two years and received a history degree from Minot State University. He received a law degree in 1978 from the University of North Dakota.

 

KILLDEER, N.D. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on what action to take after a North Dakota rancher built a bridge across the Little Missouri River that the agency says trespasses on public land.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that one end of the bridge northwest of Killdeer is on land owned by rancher Wylie Bice. The bureau’s North Dakota Field Office says the other end sits on land the agency manages.

Bice says he believed he owned the property and that he obtained a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The bridge was constructed in 2013. The bureau didn’t learn about the bridge until July 2017.

The bureau is assessing how to resolve the issue. Options include removing the bridge, selling the agency’s land or authorizing the bridge.

 

Update…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota judge has refused to reopen a lawsuit that state regulators filed against a North Carolina-based private security firm accused of using heavy-handed tactics against people protesting the $3.8 billion Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Judge John Grinsteiner’s decision Monday ends the yearlong dispute in state district court, but doesn’t resolve a disagreement over whether TigerSwan was conducting work that required a license in North Dakota.

North Dakota’s Private Investigative and Security Board plans to appeal the case’s dismissal to the state Supreme Court, attorney Monte Rogneby said. Should that fail, the board can still pursue tens of thousands of dollars in fines against TigerSwan through an administrative process.

TigerSwan attorney Lynn Boughey said an appeal would be “a waste of time and money.”

Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners hired TigerSwan to handle security in 2016 and 2017 as thousands of pipeline opponents who feared environmental harm gathered in North Dakota to protest the project. The protests resulted in 761 arrests by law enforcement over six months.

In June 2017, the North Dakota board sued TigerSwan, alleging it operated illegally because it didn’t have a state license, and Rogneby has said the goal of the lawsuit was “to protect the public interest.” The board wanted Grinsteiner to ban TigerSwan from operating in North Dakota and also levy fines. The lawsuit was filed following criticism by pipeline opponents that TigerSwan used heavy-handed tactics and propaganda against protesters. TigerSwan said it was a victim of a smear campaign.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Oil and Gas Division is monitoring cleanup of a spill at a saltwater disposal well in Williams County.The agency says Crescent Point Energy U.S. Corp. reported Monday that about 21,000 gallons of brine spilled due to a valve failure at the well 6 miles southwest of Alamo.All of it was contained on site, and a state inspector visited the scene.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota legislator asked the state Highway Patrol on Tuesday to disclose the costs of providing security for the governor, lieutenant governor and their families, a move he says is needed for budget reasons and legislative lawyers argue are not protected by state law.

The North Dakota Legislative Council asked for the information on behalf of a request by Democratic House Minority Leader Corey Mock of Grand Forks, said John Bjornson, the non-partisan research agency’s top attorney. Bjornson said lawmakers from both parties had inquired about the costs but Mock was the first to formally request them.

“Questions have been asked about the level of security and the costs,” Bjornson said. “We don’t know the extent of anything until we have the information.”

The Associated Press obtained the inquiry through an open records request.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An advisory group that includes landowners along the Little Missouri River has endorsed a state policy that allows water to be drawn from the river for use in oilfields.

The Bismarck Tribune reports the Little Missouri Scenic River Commission voted Monday to recommend that the State Water Commission continue its current policy related to temporary industrial water permits, while also encouraging the agency to increase monitoring of river levels.

The State Water Commission, led by Gov. Doug Burgum, adopted an interim policy last year that allows temporary water permits to be granted for oilfield use with a set of conditions.

At the time, Burgum said he wanted input from the commission.

 

 

RIVERDALE, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened the spillway gates on Garrison Dam for only the second time in more than six decades.

Opening the gates had been reserved for emergencies, when the Lake Sakakawea reservoir on the Missouri River could hold no more water. They were opened for the first time during the high water year of 2011.

The Corps opened them again Monday, to test their ability to help with incremental lake level adjustments. Officials also tested repairs made after the flooding seven years ago.

 

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) — Traffic is up at this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The annual event in South Dakota’s Black Hills draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. This year’s rally began its 10-day run Friday.

The state Transportation Department says that during the first three days of the rally, traffic was up 3 percent from last year. The traffic count on Saturday was up 11 percent.

 

In sports…

Jamestown   (uj.edu)   —The University of Jamestown has named Nathan Kapaun as the new men’s and women’s golf coach, Director of Athletics Sean Johnson announced Tuesday, and said, “Nathan is not only the right fit for our program, but I’m confident that he is a long-term solution for our student-athletes.  He was a tremendous leader in our program as an undergraduate student-athlete, and those leadership qualities will carry over to his role as head coach.”

Kapaun, a graduate of West Fargo High School, was a three-year captain for the Jimmie men’s golf team and helped Jamestown in qualifying for the 2015 and 2018 NAIA National Championships. He was a first team all-conference selection in 2016-17 and 2017-18. In May, Kapaun graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and is pursuing his master’s degree in Leadership this fall.

Kapaun says,”I want to say thanks to Dr. Polly Peterson and Sean Johnson for this tremendous opportunity.  I am beyond excited to continue the success of the Jimmie golf teams both in the classroom and on the golf course. It’s an honor to lead such a great group of players, and I’m excited to continue my role with the University of Jamestown.”

Joining Kapaun will be assistant coach Amber Backen. Backen played two years at Minnesota State University-Moorhead before finishing her collegiate career at Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University. At DWU, Backen was a medalist at the NAIA Region III Tournament while helping the Tigers qualify for the NAIA National Championships.

The Jimmie men’s and women’s golf teams open the 2018 season on August 28 with the UJ Fall Kickoff at Jamestown Country Club.

 

In world and national news..

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Rick Gates says he repeatedly submitted fake financial documents at the behest of his boss, Paul Manafort. Gates is testifying against Manafort at the former Trump campaign chairman’s fraud trial. In one note described to the jury, Gates says Manafort wrote “WTF” and “not happy” about tax payments he was going to have to make.

 

 

LAKEPORT, Calif. (AP) — Crews are using aircraft to try to control a raging forest fire south of Los Angeles. There is no containment Tuesday morning of the blaze churning through the Cleveland National Forest. Aircraft are dropping retardant across ridgelines to keep fire from racing down hillsides toward residential communities. Flames that erupted Monday have scorched more than 6 square miles of dry brush and timber.

 

 

NANYANG, China (AP) — Christians across China have seen their churches raided and their Bibles confiscated amid the atheist ruling Communist Party’s ambitious new effort to dictate _ and in some cases displace _ the practice of faith. Some have lost their jobs or faced evictions as President Xi Jinping pushes a campaign to lend “Chinese characteristics” to a religion traditionally aligned with Western democracy.

 

 

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Voting is underway in an Ohio special election that may provide clues to whether Democrats will retake the U.S. House in November. Democrat Danny O’Connor, the Franklin County recorder, is running for an open congressional seat in central Ohio against Republican Troy Balderson, a two-term state senator. Both candidates made last-minute stops Tuesday around the sprawling central Ohio district.

 

 

AMALIA, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man says he and his wife pressed authorities to remove a group of people from a makeshift compound on his land where officials reported finding 11 hungry children living in filth. Jason Badger says he had concerns about the compound near the Colorado border. However, court records show a judge dismissed an eviction notice filed by Badger against Lucas Morton in June. The records did not explain why.